Delays in Obtaining Military Documents for Eligibility Determinations

Dear Funeral Directors:

We are asking for your assistance. As you may be aware, the government’s primary repository for military personnel records, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), has been closed to the public since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to numerous COVID-19 exposures occurring with increasing frequency, the NPRC has informed us they have shut down most of their remaining operations indefinitely. This decision negatively impacts our ability to obtain documents to determine eligibility for interment in national cemeteries.

We will continue to make every attempt to assist Veterans and their families, but if a service member’s records cannot be obtained through any source other than NPRC, we may not be able to make a timely eligibility determination.

We ask you to inform family members of this issue and ask them to search for any additional military documents which may be in their possession. Documents kept by the Veteran may be the only documents available at this time to verify his or her eligibility for burial.

We also encourage you to ask family members to check the following:

  • Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) or the American Legion. These organizations may have discharge documents on file for members.
  • Any orders the service member may have received or any documents showing a military service number would be helpful.
  • County clerk of the county where the service member would have returned from service. The service member may have filed their documents with the county upon discharge from military service.
  • If the service member has a set of dog tags, please send a clear photograph of them to our agency.

Any additional information provided may improve our ability to locate records. You may send any additional information or documents by fax at 1-866-900-6417 or by email at [email protected]. Please follow up on the fax or email with a phone call to 1-800-535-1117, Option 1, to alert us to this additional information. We apologize for the delay and thank you for your assistance in this emergency.

Jay Dalrymple

Director, National Cemetery Scheduling Office

St. Louis, MO

Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway receives new sign

It was January 31st that Governor Ricketts signed legislation to turn Nebraska’s portion of US Highway 20 into Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway.

In the world of military service, the Congressional Medal of Honor is a decoration of the highest order. It is the most esteemed award that can be given to a serviceman.

It was January 31st that Governor Ricketts signed legislation to turn Nebraska’s portion of US Highway 20 into Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway.

It was a show of reverence that doubles as being the largest monument in Nebraska’s history.

“A memorial never to be forgotten,” said Daryl Harrison, Vice Commander of the Nebraska Department of the American Legion. “A memorial to Nebraska’s greatest military heroes.”

Full Story: CLICK HERE

AMVETS STATE CONVENTION

Fellow Members,
 
First of all, I hope everyone is feeling well and doing fine and staying safe!
 
This is to inform you that we will not be able to hold are state convention on the 9th of May. Due to the coronavirus 19, the DAV will not be open this month. If for some reason we are not able to hold a state convention before the 1st of August of this year, all officers will stay where they are for the ensuing year of 2020-2021. All paperwork has to be in National by the 1st of August. All post revalidation and 990N into the department by the 15th of July.
 
This will be an update on what is happening on the Department level, we had 2 entries for the department scholarship. I had started a fundraiser, but I put that on hold because of everything going on. I will be restarting that fundraiser – Eagle Quilt $5.00 a ticket or A book of 5 for$20.00. I will send out tickets in the very near future. Nebraska has a new Director for the Omaha National Cemetery, her name is Greta Hamilton. Our paperwork for getting Vetted with the cemetery for the bell tower got loss. I resubmitted the paperwork and now just waiting. I also have the Americanism program all judged and just need to make out the certificates.
 
Hope this answers some questions. If any more questions just call or email me.
 
 
Thanks for your time,
 
AMVETS Dept. of Nebraska
Exec Dir / Finance Officer
Deborah L Wehrli
1075 Nebraska Street
Blair, NE 68008-1703
C: 402-682-1143